I started with the oil change, figuring it to be an easy job to start the day. I was immediately stopped in my tracks because my oil change pump wasn't working correctly. It is a Jabsco oil change pump bucket with a small pump mounted on top just like this:
The pump would turn on, but it wouldn't suck anything through it. I played with it a bit but could never get it to pump. So I took it home to hopefully fix it this week, I have a feeling it needs a replacement impeller
So the oil change would have to wait. I went to the fuel filters next. Both filter changes were pretty straight forward, but I had a worry that I would need to bleed the fuel lines of air once done, a job I know would be more pain than it should be thanks to the engine being haunted. But after I changed the filters, the engine sputtered a bit for a few minutes and then ran just fine. Success! The primary filter was pretty dirty, I think my fuel tank is in serious need of cleaning. That might have to wait for the haul out though since I need to empty the tank for the truck haul anyways.
After the fuel filters we (Jenny and I) installed the manual bilge pump back in the cockpit without much hassle. But when I tried to run the hose down into the bilge, a crack on the hold hose showed itself and I accidentally broke the hose about 3 feet from its end, making it pretty useless. So I need to replace that hose, not much of an issue thank goodness...and the manual bilge pump will be in business!!!
I wanted to take the boat out for a ride afterward, but the PO wasn't around to give me some advice. The boat is parked at the dock the same way we came in when the engine overheated a few months ago. To turn the boat around in the narrow canal involves a method that I haven't been taught yet, so I was out of luck. Maybe next time I can actually ride Windsong up the river, and if God is really smiling on me...perhaps take her for a sail out in the Gulf!
There was one issue with the engine that needs to be resolved before I take it out, however. Along with the lingering oil change, water is coming out of a hose in the anti-siphon loop in the raw water circuit before where the water is injected into the exhaust. I think it is just a bad hose clamp, so I will have to experiment a bit to get that sealed tight and not leaking.
7 comments:
Eolian had one of those oil pumps permanently mounted when we got her. It didn't work either... possibly because it had been used to pump oil that was too hot. I removed it and the mess it made. Now I take out the oil thru the dipstick hole with a vacuum can like this:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/product.jcw?nval=1101021441&statenval=1101021441&productId=2004280&shopid=100001&pageid=12&TID=231000000&utm_source=NexTag&utm_medium=CSE&utm_content=product-14280G&zmam=73771597&zmas=18&zmac=123&zmap=14280G
Simplicity... fewer modes of failure. It is slower, but that just gives me more time to enjoy a second beer.
bob
s/v Eolian
Seattle
Bob thats pretty cool. I'm in engine mode today on valkier...she doesn't have but the stock filter on the engine and I have been pricing dual filter setups.. ouchhhhhh!!! I figured i could build one myself for about 1/4 of what a ready made one costs. maybe 200 dollars..
oil filters and treatment come next.
Eric,
I feel your pain.. im getting ready to do the engine thing on valkyr in the next week or so and it doesn't look pretty.. it's very dirty and needs cleaning and probably a lot of hoses replaced. as well as insulation put back on some of the exhaust pipes.
The bilge pump isn't working so that has to be fixed... sound familiar :)
I put up on the downeaster site what I have found for dual filter systems so far.. I will be putting up a parts list for a build your own version here soon as I think that is the way I will need to go to be able to afford it.
http://downeasteryachts.com/forums/engines-and-such/filterswater-seperators-for-fuel-system
wow.. i got to the engine room this weekend and it was fun to say the least.. the electric bilge pump wasn't working so I had to get it going.. I got it going in an on off sort of way. still have to install the new bilge pump control panel and new switches.
The manual pump works but the hose from it to the thru hull needs to be replaced as it has a thin place in it. :) I taped it for now and it is working.
The fuel filter on the engine is about toast. you can't even open the stop cock for draining the water.
I have to get to the engine oil still.
it sounds like we are mirroring each other on projects.
I also fixed a falling apart hawse pipe, pressure washed the decks and replaced the broken cowls on the dorade boxes.
I put up a more detailed description of them on the forums.
Wow Scott! We definitely have mirror projects going on. I still have to figure out the problem with my main bilge pump, but I finally have the manual one operating well and the backup submersible pump operating. Good write ups on the projects you have on the site, I've been studying what you have done for my efforts :)
Bob,
I took your lead and ordered a vacuum style oil changer can from JC Whitney. Used it this weekend before I winterized the engine, and it worked great! Thanks for the tip.
I'm "on the hard" now, and as soon as I clean up my basement, will begin a few winter projects: New settee table - semi fixed vs. the folding unit I currently have, installation of a new (old but new to me) radar - Hope to head to Maine in the summer... That's where they make the fog!, Painting the inside of storage lockers, rollerfurl for the staysail etc. etc.
Seems like as soon as I started sailing last spring, the projects mysteriously went into a holding pattern!
Erick, What's the latest?... how's the boat coming? I read the online story of Paul Lutus' 'round the world trip. Thanks for the link! i enjoyed it a lot.
Doug M
S/Y Perelandra
Nice blog.
We had great luck with a brass oil pump - our local marine diesel mechanic got one for us.
Also, you probably know this, but do you use an algae killer in your diesel like Biobor or something?
Hello! Thanks for reading :)
Yep I use Biobor for the fuel. The previous owner used it, so I just continued the practice.
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